Some time ago Pukaki lake has become a part of the huge hydroelectric system. Specialists thought about the ecologic indexes and took care about the lake’s clearness. Locals were glad to receive the steady electricity. It has become a real step forward of globalization in this place.
Not everybody knows that originally the glacier lake wasn't big. Its maximum depth was about 25 meters. In 1940s, when the building of the hydroelectric station has begun, the lake's volume has changed. At first, in the center of the lake, there was a small island that later went under the water. The water is always cold and that's why not everyone will dare to swim in its azure water. Even in summer, the water doesn’t go upper than 7 degrees above zero Celsius. Locals have a lot of various legends and one of them is connected with the name of the lake. It says that it was named in honour of one of the mythic hero.
Read further...